Hi Rod, Was that a quake or did the earth move due
to 700,000 cash registers ringing up sales of iPAD's? Have you planted
all your tomatoes yet? Ann

Dear Ann, Wish I was writing this on my new iPAD but alas I don't have
that animal as yet, though God knows I want one. As for the quake, well
it wasn't 'the big one' but I have a very strong feeling that ‘IT’ is on
the way now. If I were a betting man I'd head for Vegas.

Here's what's in my 2010 Tomato Garden: Angelo Black (a new one I
developed last year), Stanyan Yellow Gourd (another first timer made
from various crosses), Buddy Buds (A Black Cherry type, this will be a
real first if it works out.)

If any of the above turn out to be worthwhile I'll save seeds for you,
all are my own heirloom derivatives & crosses. And yes, before you ask
crossing tomatoes isn’t easy the grafting takes patience and many tries.
This year I’m going to try the Day Lily breeding trick of working with
pollen.

Following are the Heirloom standbys I’ve planted: Cherokee Purple,
Costoluto Genovase, Pink Brandywine, Sungold, Super Marmande, Tigerella
and there are a surprising number of strays that popped up from last
year. As Ever, Rod

LIMITED EDITION

Hello, I have one of your books "Stanyan Street &
Other Sorrows". I am trying to confirm that the attached book is one of
the two thousand numbered and signed by you. My book has a signature and
#511. Is this your signature?

On page 8, is the following statement: “This edition limited to 5000
copies. 2000 numbered and signed by the author, of which fifteen hundred
are for sale through Stanyan Co. The remaining 3000 copies are available
through STANYAN MUSIC CO. or book outlets. First Printing – July 1966”

If the above statement is correct then #511 falls in the 2000 signed
copies. Any information will be appreciated. Thank you. Microage.

Page from the original 1966 First Edition.

Dear Microage, If this is your Christian name then your folks had an
interesting sense of humor or perhaps a keen insight into the 21st
Century.

Yep, you’ve got an original all right. This is a First Edition of
Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows signed & numbered. Your copy is one of
the first printed (it would go through 11 more editions for a total of
65 thousand copies from our home base before it was acquired by Random
House where it went on to sell over two million in some thirty
additional editions.)

I’ll never forget Edward joining me in a duel gasp when a truck arrived
at the door and proceeded to unload 5000 copies of the book in our
driveway but needless to say it turned out to be a pretty successful
self-publishing investment. Thanks for your trip down memory lane.
Cheers, Rod.

STANYAN STUFF

Rod: I want to buy CD's from Stanyan online but
the thing is I can only pay for them in cash. I've sent emails to Ben at
Stanyan but I never received a reply if you can help please let me know.
I'm looking forward to the 2 Warner Bros. Boxed Sets to be released in
the near future the RCS Box was brilliant all the best rod, Fred

Dear Fred, No problem. Ben has been up to his ears not only with Stanyan
but his day job (he's a popular screenwriter) and I'm sure that accounts
for his not getting back to you on a timely basis. Stanyan accepts money
orders and checks made out to "Stanyan By Mail'. Address: Stanyan House,
Box G, Beverly Hills Ca, 90210.

Thanks for the kind words regarding the RCA set, much love and hard work
went into it by all concerned. Work on the Warner Bros. boxed sets is
going slower than any of us would like, but the bottom line rests with
my ability to get in the studio and finish the mastering and the even
more difficult time and effort it takes to hustle up the photographs,
memorabilia and annotation needed to augment the recordings. Lots of
stops and starts but the work will be completed when it is completed.
Bear Family is tooled up and ready to go when I hand in my share. Thanks
for keeping the faith. Warmest Regards, Rod

ROD & RED ROCKS

Rod: I was going through some storage boxes and
found many of your books and records. WOW! what wonderful memories. Saw
you at Red Rocks many times and especially loved the after show
discussions, sharing a Coors and just talking one on one with those who
stayed. Your poetry and music has given me hours of pleasure and
happiness. Any chance you'll come back to Red Rocks? R1Sandoval.

Dear R1, Thanks for the kind thoughts and memories. I love being in and
out of storage boxes, footlockers, thrift shops and especially people’s
thoughts and recollections.

I have so many great memories of the appearances I made at Red Rocks. I
always looked forward to playing that great amphitheatre and then
heading for my other favorite outdoor venue The Blossom Music Festival.
Have been working on a memoir of sorts and a chapter involving Red Rocks
figures prominently in it. I'd come back in a flash if some Denver
promoter invited me. If there is any real interest from same they can
find out details from my concert manager Jerry Lonn at
jlonn@encoreattractions.com.
Meanwhile, thanks again and you are now on the mailing list to receive
news about upcoming concerts and appearances. My Best, Rod.

TORNADOS & MOONLIGHT

Dear Rod: I was in a tornado in 1968 with my
children. One minute we were inside and the next we were in the yard
with the rain pouring down and trying to find help in the darkness. It
was a harrowing experience but I’ll skip to 22 hours later.

A man I had never met, Bill - a friend of a friend - came to my friends
house and said "you need to get out of this town". We left in his
Corvette and he drove to a moonlit spot and we talked for hours and
finally he said "You need to sleep!"

I told him I couldn't because another tornado might come and I wouldn't
hear it. He told me he would listen for me and then he put my seat back
and put your "Listen to the Warm" tape in. He didn't talk and just let
me listen. I was unfamiliar with your work but reveled in it as I slowly
relaxed. I listened to "the warm" and "A Cat Named Sloopy" and when the
tape ended he played it again. I drifted into sleep as you were calling
Sloopy and Bill watched the world for me as I slept my way back to
sanity. I truly believe that your poetry and Bill watching out for me
kept me from losing it after the tornado. Thank you your work and the
comfort it gave me. Love your work. Hope to hear from you. Ann Harvey

Dear Ann, What a story and how nice of you to share it with me. You can
only imagine how much I enjoy hearing tales like this. I write to be
read and make recordings to be heard.

I’ve never experienced a tornado or hurricane but living in California
most of my life I long ago lost count of how many hundreds of
earthquakes large and small I’ve felt. There is nothing quite so scary
or unnerving as a natural disaster –– I guess because you never see it
coming and when it does there is nothing to do but ride it out.

You neglected to tell me what became of your new friend Bill. Of course
if this happened to be a Turner Classic Movie (starring perhaps Bette
Davis & George Brent) the two of you would be settled down for life and
‘happily ever after.' Thanks again for the treat Ann and all my very
best to you and yours. Warmly, Rod.

RM 4/9/10 Previously unpublished.

Click
on the Stanyan House logo to buy Rod McKuen books, CD's and lots more

If time were not a trumpet always sounding
out assembly and formations, I’d let work go whistling and send out
obligations with the garbage.

Love is another word for sharing. If you go
out into and beyond the day with love in mind and heart, you are
probably as close to life as you can ever hope to be.

TWO APRIL POEMS
from In Someone's Shadow

April 5

Life goes slow without love.
It moves along unhurried.
The sun rises.
The sun goes down.

There are those who pass by
changing the life-cycle
if you are willing to wait.

I am always shy
with these journeymen at first
and by the time I get to know them
they have gone away.

April 6

I have learned no new alphabet this week.
No new yardstick different from the last time out.
The old language has had to do too long a time.
I use the past arithmetic
to make the present
work.
Yet even going from room to room
I walk with arms outstretched.